SL Navy has not murdered Indian fishermen; Indian Minister of Defense issues statement

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Contradicting the claims by Tamil Nadu fishermen that Sri Lankan security forces killed Indian fishermen, The Indian Defense Minister AK Antony said that during the last one year, there is no official record of Indian fishermen killed in Sri Lankan territorial waters.

In a written statement to the Indian Parliament yesterday, the Indian Defense Minister said Sri Lankan Navy during the last one year had apprehended 23 boats and 131 Indian fishermen.

The apprehended fishermen have been repatriated, following the action taken by the Indian government through diplomatic channels with the Sri Lankan authorities.

Indian fishermen, mainly from Tamil Nadu, illegally poaching in large scale with trawlers in Sri Lanka's waters, have become a serious threat to the livelihoods of Sri Lankan fishermen, who have urged the authorities to prevent the stealing of their livelihood by Indian fishermen.